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Team USA star Jack Hughes has finally gotten his smile back.
The New Jersey Devils center debuted his new smile at the New York Yankees’ home opener against the Miami Marlins on Friday, where he and fellow Team USA gold medalist Aerin Frankel threw out the ceremonial first pitches.
New Jersey Devil Jack Hughes jokes with Olympic hockey player Aerin Frankel before throwing out the first pitch in the opening game between the New York Yankees and the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York, on April 3, 2026. (USATSI)
“I threw like 50 pitches right before I skated in the morning,” Hughes told reporters about his preparation time. “My shoulder hurt a lot. So I thought, ‘We have to calm down.'”
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Hughes, who lost several teeth after taking a stick to the mouth during Team USA’s overtime victory over Canada in Milano Cortina, was grinning from ear to ear. He said he hoped throwing out the first pitch was an honor he could be a part of after scoring the winning goal in Italy.
Jack Hughes of Team USA celebrates after winning the gold medal against Canada at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Stadium during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Elsa/Getty Images)
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“When everything fell apart, this was the only thing I wondered if it would happen,” Hughes said. through NHL.com. “I knew there was a lot coming, but I was like, ‘This is the only thing I ever wanted to want, to cut, to wait, and then I was like, ‘Opening day.’ Like, wow. That’s almost too much, man. That’s a lot of pressure.”
Frankel, the women’s goalkeeper and New York native, was happy to continue the Olympic celebration with Hughes in the Bronx.
New Jersey Devils hockey player and Olympian Jack Hughes prepares to throw out the opening pitch before the Yankees’ home opener against the Miami Marlins at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, on April 3, 2026. (USATSI)
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“It’s been amazing,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun to be at the Olympics with the men’s team, to be able to support them and watch them win a gold medal. For the first time in history, the women’s and men’s teams have done that together. So being able to continue the celebration here in New York for opening day was a lot of fun.”
